Valencia grad wins Zonta scholarship

Allison Tamboline accepts her Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship check from Cindy Kittle at Zonta's recent business meeting.

Allison Tamboline, a 2008 graduate of Valencia High School, has received a $1,000 Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship from Zonta Club of the Santa Clarita Valley.

After much deliberation, Tamboline was chosen from the seven impressive young women who had submitted applications this year, according to committee chair Gloria Mercado-Fortine.

“The caliber of applicants for this year’s award was impressive,” Mercado-Fortine said. “As this year’s Young Woman in Public Affairs recipient, Allison exemplifies the level of candidates who applied for the award.”

The award is given each year to a young woman in the local community who exemplifies Zonta’s mission of advancing the status of women. The local winner advances to district level competition, where that honoree is sent on to international competition. The intent of the program is to encourage young women to enter public service.

Tamboline is not only a gifted musician, but she has also demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities. Through her many activities, Allison has helped to advance the status of women not only in her school, but also on an international level.

She has been involved with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program as well as the World Leadership Congress in Washington D.C., where she met and worked with peers from around the world. She is currently president of Invisible Children of Uganda Club and participated in Lobby Day for Africa.

According to her scholarship application, Tamboline believes the most critical problem limiting the advancement of women worldwide is the lack of education. She believes that investing in women now will enable women to grow and educate others.